[Marge]

I began the journey to become a CPA full of high hopes, thinking that as long as I put in enough study hours and effort I would come out successful. I started with BEC, as it had the highest pass rate and assumed I would at least be able to pass it on the first or second try. Wrong. I’ve failed so many times, the I feel like I must be crazy. This path has taken me so much longer than I could have imagined. Most people would say that I’m studying wrong or not putting in enough study time, but I have put so much effort into passing these tests, and I’ve tried every study method recommended. I have been very busy working 2 jobs (even during tax season), but I have still put in a lot of study time. I’ve taken tests when I’m at my busiest and I’ve taken time off of work so that I could only focus on my test. Nothing has gotten me to that last pass. So many times I told myself that if I failed my next test I would quit, yet I have never been a quitter and something inside of me kept saying “I’m so close, it’s just one more test.”

Oh, and did I mention I began my journey, with my (now) husband? He of course, passed all exams on the first try and scored in the high 90s. While I am extremely happy for him, it also feels like he’s been able to move on and advance his career, while I’m still stuck with another 74.

I keep trying to be positive, but I’ve just failed so many times and feel crushed every time. This test has impacted my life in everyway possible. The embarrassment of another failure and seeing everyone around me passing is almost more than I can handle. Why do I keep putting myself through this? How do I either let go of this test or push through to finishing them? I am so utterly discouraged.

A picture of my journey:

11/01/13 BEC 68
07/19/14 BEC 76 (MY FIRST PASS)
10/04/14 REG 74 (1st 74)
11/01/14 AUD 73
01/17/15 REG 81
05/30/15 AUD 76
07/31/15 FAR 58 (worst fail yet)
11/03/15 FAR 74 (2nd 74)
01/07/16 FAR 74 (3rd 74)

BEC has now expired..but I’ve passed it before, I can do it again!

04/10/16 FAR 75 (somehow passed on a Sunday in the middle of busy season)

05/13/16 BEC 72
07/14/16 BEC 74 (4th 74)

REG has now expired…feeling down I decided to take it with 3 weeks of studying, because what do I have to lose at this point?

09/07/16 REG 89 (finally feeling encouraged)
10/26/16 BEC 74 (5th 74)

AUD expired

01/31/17 BEC 79 (whoever said BEC was the easy one, wasn’t me)

02/13/17 AUD 72 (which bring me to now, at least it wasn’t a 74)

[jereumie]

That sounds terrible, it is like just one little piece missing from 2500 piece puzzle..

But, don't give up. You know you can pull it. If you keep getting 50s and 60s on multiple exams, maybe CPA just isn't for you, but you are just so close. It is just one little piece, let's keep it up.

[Marge]

Most of my exam scores have been in the 70s, which I think is part of the reason why I haven't given up yet. I always feel like my exam scores are so close that it won't take much to pass it the next time. The only problem is that it takes everything I have to pass a test and I usually still trend in the 70s. I still have no idea how I passed REG with an 89. I studied the least for that test because I was so depressed over failing BEC again.

I used Ninja MCQ for my last BEC and AUD exams. My AUD scores for the practice quizzes were 71% average, and 92% average trending score. I'm just afraid I might go down the BEC road again, where I get 3 failing scores before passing, and end up having all of my exams expire again.

[jc510]

You're so close OP! Don't give up! You have a great base of knowledge. Hone in on the little details! You'll pass it eventually!

[Substantive Testing]

OP, If I were you, I would give it a last try in April before deciding to quit or not. I know it will be peak season in tax, but I would still try to find a way to make/find some quality study time. your MCQs look very strong, was it simulations what you had problems with? I would focus on those if I were you, specially because April new test is all about sims. And maybe two jobs is too much?

[Marge]

Thanks guys. I did fairly well on the multiple choice. I scored weaker on the sims which contributed to my lower score. I had been doing really well on the Ninja sims, so I decided to focus on practicing my MCQs. Taking this test one more time and waiting until August for my score is currently giving me a headache just thinking about it. However, I do feel that since I'm so close, I owe it to myself to try at least one more time. I just hope one more time is enough to pass!

[Author]

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